By Caribbean News Global 
FRANCE, Paris – Prime minister Roosevelt Skerrit, continues to highlight the Commonwealth of Dominica bilateral relation with the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the economic expansion with Haiti, despite the social and economic impacts of COVID-19.
Last month, Dominica expanded its bilateral relations with the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, with the signing of a joint communiqué to strengthen the cooperation between the countries regarding the 2030 Agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The signing included trading practices and expertise on ‘building resilience’ and the ‘commitment to developing friendly relations as stated in the UN charter.’
In addition, Dominica operates one of the world’s oldest Citizenship by Investment Programmes which invites high net-worth individuals and their families to become lifelong citizens of Dominica once investing in its economy; via the government fund or through the purchase of a selected real estate.
This also contributes to the growth and development of both nations and the continuance of Dominica’s commitment to establishing a global community with visa-free or visa-on-arrival to 143 countries; and by the end of 2021, an expected increase of 25 percent. Moreover, there is The Work in Nature (WIN) Programme, intrinsically linked to major business hubs and popular travel destinations.
Meanwhile, prime minister Skerrit, said that although the economy/revenue generation is below that of robust years, “the record shows that Haitian nationals transferred $22 million in 2020 via MoneyGram and Western Union.”
“There are signs of growth in the economy,” said Skerrit, who is also finance minister. “As you know our economy was projected to grow by 5.6 percent in 2020, following another 9.7 percent the year with several capital projects that were on stream but here came the pandemic,” he explained. However, “we are seeing improvement in the economy, and of course, we are making this from the income tax and the value-added tax.”
Another sign of growth and progress we are seeing based on data points to … “just Haitian nationals that sent-out $22 million in 2020 via Money Gram and Western Union in COVID-19 period” … relative to 2019, which registered $23 million.”
The finance minister emphasises that despite critics and challenging times “there are opportunities for us as Dominicans,” during the pandemic. “Many have adapted their business model. Others have brought in new businesses and we commend this industriousness,” he said.
Prime minister Skerrit further highlighted the necessity to provide support for entrepreneurial development, and urged nationals to “focus on the socio-economic development of the country as the government continues to honour its responsibility.”
